Gestational diabetes test - to fast or not to fast?

[ecuse]

Just remembered I have a test for GD tomorrow (standard in my case because pregnant and high BMI). 17wks.

I always thought that involved fasting then drinking Lucozade but realise (poss too late) that I haven't been given any instructions, just told it's a blood test.

Are there other tests that don't involve fasting? Dont want to waste my time by turning up and not being able to do test if haven't fasted, as am taking the morning off work. But if I've fasted when not supposed to I could equally bugger it up.

They start with a non-fasting test and then if the results don't look ideal they will move on to a fasting one. They would have told you if it were a fasting one. Just don't have cake beforehand ...

Test for gestational diabetes is a glucose tolerance test which needs to be done from fasting. HbA1C should not be used in pregnancy nor a random sugar.

You won't ruin a test by fasting and can take a drink and snack with you. You can buy not fasting.

You are ok to drink water.

Had blood test at 11 weeks for similar reasons. Had to fast from midnight thr night before. Could drink water then it was just a simple blood test. The rules are the same fir the GTT.

I also think it's fasting because they don't do the two step approach (like in the US) in the UK. If it's the 2 hour GTT then the first number will be your fasting which is a very important number to know if you are diagnosed with GD (hopefully not!). In the US they do a one hour screen for everyone which is not fasting and then if you fail the screen, a 3 hour GTT - whcih might be what whereisshe is thinking of.

Definitely better off fasting and taking food with you in case it's not than not fasting and then having to come back another day.

No they did a non-fasting test for me last year. It definitely wasn't a GTT. It obviously varies between trusts.

Non fasting blood test cannot be used to diagnose gestational diabetes nor can an HbA1C worrying that a trust used it.

I've got GTT today and had to fast from midnight last night.

I had one last week and had to fast from 10pm for a 9am test (GTT).

Yes I know Bugsy. That's what my midwife told me, but they did it anyway!

Raaaaah this hospital is so disorganised. Midwife mentioned I would have a test at my booking in appt, told me nothing about it. Next I hear I have a finger-wagging letter saying I missed an appointment I knew nothing about and to turn up today. Zero information on what the appointment even was for (I phoned up last week and they told me it was for testing for GD and even then they didn't tell me anything about fasting). Thanks, all

I got told I had to have a fasting blood test at my booking in at 12 weeks. Had it a few days later. I did have to fast from midnight, but the blood test itself was a one off, not the 2 hour one with the sugary drink.

I'm assuming that the results from that were a bit borderline though, as I've now been called back for the full on 2hr one in 4 weeks time when I'll be 18 weeks, instead of on 26th August as originally planned.

Can you not phone your midwife to confirm?? I had to fast for mine x

You probably should have got the info on fasting with the appointment letter you didn't get.

Depends which test it is
If it is the 'mini GTT' which is what most people have routinely- then they will usually have given you Lucozade to drink at home an hour before the test.

If they have said you need the 'full GTT' ( for BMI over 30, prev GD, previous baby over 10lb etc) then you need to fast from midnight as the first bloods will be a fasting glucose......

I have one Saturday. Have been given the lucozade and told to drink 800ml 2 hours before the test and no food from midnight. My test is at 10am the next morning.

I've got to fast from 10pm as well, EllaBella - but mine's not 'til end of July (just got the letter today, so have to inform work about that one tomorrow).

Op how did it go?